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THBSigned 20th C. Kwakiutl Wood Letter Opener with Orca
Lot 230
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$400 - $600
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 19, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-08-19 10:00:00
2021-08-19 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-7345
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (375)
- Lot Description
Native American, Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Canada, Kwakiutl (Kwakwaka'wakw) people, ca. mid-20th century CE. Signed "GR." A skillfully hand-carved wood letter opener presenting a lengthy blade and handle in the form of an orca whale. The slender blade tapers to a sharp point and flares at its base, as a raised ridge travels vertically down its center axis. The impressive handle displays a large dorsal fin, rectangular pectoral fins, annular eyes, a triangular nose, a huge mouth with bared teeth, and a thick, tubular tail that curves upwards over its body to form a hook. The top of the animal's tail is incised with a minimalist, anthropomorphic visage. Size: 12" L x 1.675" W (30.5 cm x 4.3 cm)
According to Kwakiutl legend, orcas (also killer whales) were the physical manifestations of the souls of open-water marine hunters who perished or were lost at sea, and this belief is the aquatic parallel to a similar Kwakiutl notion that the souls of forest hunters achieve corporeal materiality as wolves. The Kwakiutl were not of the belief that this was a positive or a negative result of one's soul; however, there were a myriad of symbolically significant rituals that would ensure that the soul of the whale would once again manifest itself in its original anthropomorphic form.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#141764Signed "GR" on underside of orca. Slight surface wear to tip of blade, commensurate with use. Otherwise, intact and excellent.Condition
- Shipping Info
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